Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing-Advanced Level) @ Veterans Health Administration

Job Summary

This position is located in the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, Nursing Service, New Orleans, Louisiana. This is an advanced level Medical Supply Technician in Sterile Processing Service. The Advanced MST provides sterilization, preparation, supply items and reusable medical devices (RMC) decontamination and distribution support for the medical center.

Qualifications

• Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
• Basic

Requirements: United States Citizenship

• Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Experience.
• Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or Education.
• One year above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in health care related courses such as sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, and operating room and surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position; or Experience/Education Combination.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
• Certification.
• None.
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determination: GS-07 Medical Supply Technician (Advanced Level-Sterile Processing) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• 1. Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
• 2. Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets.
• 3. In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• 4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.

Physical

Requirements

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Major Duties

• The Advanced MST assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation.
• Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room.
• Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RMD.
• Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment.
• Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines.
• The Advanced MST serves as a contact for the end user to assist in problem solving and providing solutions to their leadership.
• He or she attends meeting and provides input as needed.
• Performs all the duties of subordinate MSTs including but not limited to: Receiving contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and reprocess using standard· operation procedures (SOP) and manufacture information for use (IFU); receives noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well.
• Disassembles the RMD and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions.
• Performs and documents daily and weekly quality assurance (QA) operational checks and records documentation for all sterilization and High Level Disinfection (HLD) equipment and processes.
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 11am-7:30am Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 00132F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.